Bhubaneswar: Tribals are bringing glory to the state and country in all fields, said Sudam Marndi, Minister, School and Mass Education and Revenue and Disaster Management.
Tribal language, culture, costume speaks of their uniqueness and all stakeholders are responsible for its preservation and promotion, said Marndi speaking on the occasion of valedictory ceremony of the two-day Tribal Poets Meet organised at the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes Research and Training Institute (SCSTRTI).
Marndi urged upon youth to participate more and more in such platforms which celebrate tribal identity.
Tribals have a long history and their association with ecology, forest, is sacred and core to the tribal culture, he added.
Twentythree tribal poets recited poems in the program—five people from Ho community, 5 from Mundari community, 6 from Santali community, 2 from Khadia community, 2 from Kisan community, 1 from Bhumija community, 1 from Oraon community, and 1 from Munda community.
On this occasion, Santali Dictionary was presented to the chief guest Marndi in the program and was honoured with a tribal painting painted by a tribal artist.
Roopa Roshan Sahoo, Commissioner-cum-Secretary joined the program and gave information about the functioning of the department.
She said, more people from the tribal community have joined the mainstream. It is proposed to build 100 tribal language labs in high schools for tribal students. Now 3 photo books will be prepared showing the changes in tribal lifestyle. She said that tribal culture progress is the main objective of the department.
Dr Pramod Kumar Parida, former professor, joined the program as the chief speaker and explained about literature and poetry. He said, “Poetry describes reality.”
Bijay Basant Khalko, Financial Adviser and Special Secretary of the Department attended and emphasized on the preservation of tribal languages.
In the valedictory program, Director SCSTRTI Indramani Tripathy delivered the welcome address,
Special Officer Samarendra Bhutia coordinated and the Assistant Director Madhusmita Sahoo gave a vote of thanks.
